A ship’s administrative organization is set forth in its Ship's Organization and Regulations Manual (SORM) and in Ship's Instructions. It is concerned with overall policies and provides the framework for these policies to be effective. The Executive Department manages the administrative duties of the ship. Engineers do not fall under the ship’s watch organization; they have their own watch standing requirements.

Watch Organization - The Commanding Officer (CO) establishes such watches as necessary that are required for the safety and proper operation of the command.

Administrative Bills - Establish uniform policies for assignment of personnel, berthing, maintenance, visiting, recall, and zone inspections.

Operational Bills - Set forth policies and procedures in such areas as the boat bill, civil disaster, cold weather, darken ship, EMCON, etc.

Senior Watch Officer - Organizes the minimum requirements for watches as set forth in bills.

Battle Bill or the Ship's Manning Document

The Ship's Manning Document (SMD) is a relatively new system of accounting for some ships that, rather than basing crew assignments on billets in the Battle Bill, relates tasks to man hours already implemented in the Navy's 3-M System. Each ship included in this system is supplied with rates and ratings that are outlined in the SMD for that class of ship.